Check out Pack Rat Magazine Issue #1!

It’s almost gift giving time again. Which is always a magical time to spend with the ones you love. However, crowding the malls, fighting your way through the chain stores can almost make that magic not feel worth it. So why not use this year to do what you’ve probably been telling yourself you would do for years. Why not make everyone’s gifts this year? I know, it sounds over ambitious and overwhelming, but I believe in all of us crafters out there. And, when I was looking over the Belle Epoque blog earlier, I came across another, quiliting blog called Cotton Spice who will be hosting a marvelous holiday gift to all of us called “The Last Minute Gift Countdown.” For two weeks in November they will be posting gift making tutorials everyday, written by guest designers. So check back daily and soon you too could be avoiding the malls.

Check out Pack Rat Magazine, Issue #1!

Here’s Y.A.B. (”yet another blog” I created it. It’s gonna be a thing) for ya. Belle Epoque , which seems to mean “the beautiful epoch ” but I could be wrong, seeing as how I don’t speak French, is by blogger Nancy Flynn. Like so many of our favorite blogs, it combines a nice web design aesthetic, fun tutorials, and ruminations on living the crafty maven lifestyle. Of particular interest to you might be her tutorial on how to sew a fairly simple tank top. Of particular interest to me was her simple recipe for pumpkin seeds. She thought to put creole spices on her seeds this year, which sounds super yummy.  And it reminds me that I want to buy a pumpkin (I know, I know. Buying a pumpkin after Halloween makes me a Halloween Scrooge).

Check out Issue #1 of Pack Rat Magazine

I came across an adorable jewelry tutorial yesterday and I am super excited to share it with you guys. Origami tulip earrings. I know right–how freaking cute? The tutorial is available at Finger Magic, and there are other tutorials there too, like how to make cards and stationary that sport your favorite origami images, like bamboo and this super cute jacket (they have it as part of a baby shower card, but you could probably use it on any kind of card, its so sweet). Plus, if you’re in the market to buy some jewelry (and really, when am I not?) they have these unique origami pendents that have been folded out of a single sheet of silver. Get F-ing out, right? Well check it all out below.